Arnaud Delacour, best known for his prowess with turf runners, will have one of the fringe contenders in Divining Rod in the annual marquee race at Tampa Bay Downs, the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday.
Saturday, Todd Pletcher will see if he has another Far From Over on his bench when he sends out a trio of under-the-radar 3-year-olds against the multiple stakes winner El Kabeir in the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.
Carpe Diem and Daredevil, both scheduled to make their 3-year-old debuts on Saturday, give WinStar Farm – which has an ownership interest in both – at least two strong Kentucky Derby prospects.
Ocho Ocho Ocho, unbeaten in three starts at age 2, is among a bulky field entered on Wednesday for Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 San Felipe Stakes, an important prep at Santa Anita Park for both the Santa Anita Derby on April 4 and the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2.
Keen Ice, third most recently in the Risen Star Stakes, nudged his way onto this week’s top 20 of Derby Watch when a single spot opened up.
Handicapper Mike Welsch ranks the top 3-year-old males and fillies pointing to races at Gulfstream Park.
Marcus Hersh ranks the top 3-year-old males and fillies pointing to races at Fair Grounds.
Handicapper Mary Rampellini ranks the top 3-year-old males and fillies pointing to races at Santa Anita.
Top 3-year-olds at Aqueduct on March 2, 2015.
Brad Free's top 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on March 2.
